As Timmons Group wraps up its 70th anniversary year, we take a moment to reflect on the history that has shaped our firm over the years. Ours is a story of innovation, dedication, and a vision that has made a positive impact on many projects, employees, and communities.
To honor this milestone, Tim Klabunde sat down with Jim Hayes, a retired Principal at Timmons Group, who joined the firm in 1966. Jim’s insights offer a unique window into the early days of Timmons Group and the legacy that continues to guide us.
Jim Hayes began working at Timmons Group immediately after graduation from Virginia Tech, at a time when the company was relatively small, with around 24 or 25 employees, mostly surveyors. “I thought that was a lot of people,” Jim said to Tim with a chuckle, “but most of those were surveyors. We had three or four survey parties, and some were three-man parties, some were four.” Jim’s recollection is an ode to the simplicity that once was. Now, Timmons Group offers over 100 services from 18 offices. “It is exciting to see how much has changed, and for the better, since I was here,” Jim said.
Jim’s post-college role wasn’t what he expected. On his first day, instead of jumping straight into design work, Jim was asked to head a survey party. “Mr. Timmons said, ‘You need to really understand surveying in order to understand civil design. So, I want you to run a survey party,’” Jim said. “I wasn’t expecting that, but it taught me the importance of understanding where everything begins.” The foundation of civil design, as Jim quickly learned, starts with understanding the land—something that remains at the core of Timmons Group’s approach to this day.
In the 1960s, Richmond was on the verge of a major growth period, and J.K. Timmons knew that establishing relationships with the community was essential. “Timmons already had relationships with some of the key developers and movers and shakers in town,” Jim said.
The company’s rapid growth was fueled by their strategic move. As Timmons Group consistently delivered top-notch projects, the team’s reputation spread, earning the trust of developers and landowners who wanted reliable results, which significantly aided their expansion.
One of the projects that stands out in Jim’s memory was the development of the Swift Creek Reservoir and the Brandermill community in Chesterfield County. “Swift Creek Reservoir was a major accomplishment,” Jim shared. “It started with a vision to make Chesterfield County self-sufficient in utilities, and it ended up being one of the first truly planned communities in the area.”
The creation of the reservoir required the cooperation of landowners, the county, and developers. “Mr. Timmons orchestrated the whole thing. We had to get property owners to agree to sell or give up land for the reservoir, and in return, the land around the lake was zoned for planned development.”
Today, Brandermill is a showcase of Timmons Group’s vision and innovation during those early years. For Jim, the satisfaction of seeing a community thrive, one that he helped design and bring to life, is one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. “I still enjoy driving through Brandermill and seeing the community we built. It’s very satisfying,” Jim said.
The 1970s and 80s were a time of rapid growth for Timmons Group. What started as a small firm focused on local projects soon expanded beyond the Richmond area. Jim played a key role in one of the firm’s first expansions into the Tri-Cities area, comprised of Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and Hopewell.
This expansion set the stage for further growth, eventually leading Timmons Group to open offices further into North Carolina and eventually north of Richmond into Ashburn and Washington, D.C. Each expansion was driven by the same commitment to delivering high-quality work and building strong relationships with clients—an approach that has proven successful for 70 years.
As Timmons Group grew, so did its need for talented professionals. “The best part of our success was the people we were able to hire,” Jim emphasized. Today, Timmons Group has over 1,100 employees across 18 offices, and Jim describes the firm’s current employees as honest, diligent, and thoughtful. “We made good decisions, and we were fortunate to hire the right people. That’s the key to everything—the people who drive the success of the company,” Jim continued.
Technically, this was an interview, but Tim and Jim had such a humble and honest time connecting over stories that it almost felt more like an informal conversation between old friends. They reminisced about the firm’s first projects, the challenges of growing a small business in the early years, and the sense of pride that came from watching Timmons Group evolve into the industry leader it is today.
Throughout this conversation, Jim’s recollections reminded us that Timmons Group’s journey has been built on more than just projects—it has been designed by the vision, integrity, and hard work of people who believed in something bigger than themselves. His stories of early challenges, the growth of a small team, and the personal satisfaction of building thriving communities reflect values that still guide our work today. “I never would have thought the company would grow to what it is today, but I’m very proud of everyone who helped make it happen.”
As we come to the end of celebrating 70 years at Timmons Group, we honor the legacy of individuals like Jim Hayes and J.K. Timmons, whose vision and dedication laid the foundation for the firm’s success. Their stories remind us of the importance of innovation, relationships, and, most of all, people. Here’s to the next 70 years!
